The battle rages on.

Shimano’s top-shelf road drivetrain has had to make some pretty serious improvements to keep up with its number one competition—the Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain. Electronic shifting is proving to be very, very good, so the Di2’s mechanical siblings are working extra hard these days. The Shimano Dura-Ace FD-9000 11-Speed front derailleur’s improvements focus mainly on one area: usability. That means a lighter action and a shorter lever stroke. Electronic shifting is good, but if it also works to make mechanical shifting better, that’s just a bonus.

The FD-9000 claims a 43% reduction in shifting effort compared to 7900. That’s an enormous improvement. This is helped along by Shimano’s polymer-coated shift cable, which nearly eliminates mechanical drag. Shimano then shortened the lever stroke by manipulating the leverage at the front derailleur. All this adds up to shifting that’s on par with Shimano’s Di2 system.

Comment on Alex's review:

DA 9000 is the best.

Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer

I have ridden about every grouppo out there and every generation of DA over the last 20 years. DA is still my favorite and has never let me down. I love the new 9000 it's effortless, crisp, reliable shifting through any scenario.

Comment on Kyle Br's review:

Will the Shimano Dura-Ace FD-9000 11-Speed...

Will the Shimano Dura-Ace FD-9000 11-Speed Front Derailleur work on a triple crank set for use on a touring bike with Dura-Ace SL-BSR1 11-Speed Bar End Shifters? In other words does it have the necessary throw to expand the distance?

Have an answer for Peter?

The 9000 series is meant to be paired (der's, shifters....) The 9000 front shifter (left) has 4 points, 2 for small ring, 2 for large ring. The 9000 der may work with the 7900 shifter but may also lead to great frustration. I'd skip it and just get the 7900 to match your shifter.